For the past several weeks, a sewage backup near downtown and
the San Benito Foods cannery, which tranports its tomato waste
through a storm drain in the area, has caused a particular stench
in that section of the city.
For the past several weeks, a sewage backup near downtown and the San Benito Foods cannery, which tranports its tomato waste through a storm drain in the area, has caused a particular stench in that section of the city.
A resident of the neighborhood had expressed concern to the Free Lance about the stink near Seventh and Monterey streets, where an open inlet appears to be letting off the stench. Public works officials noted how the storm drain line used to move tomato waste to an industrial sewer pond during the canning months – usually, the season starts in July and can last about 10 weeks – can back up and cause the odors.
Community Services Director Clay Lee said this time of year, especially with warmer weather, which speeds up the rotting of waste, there are usually some complaints about sewage odor.
If it is coming from the cannery, wastewater official Dennis Rose noted how San Benito Foods controls the pH levels at the plant, but that the biggest culprit in the smell factor can be the tomato waste itself.
“But if we have a line coming in from the side streets, because the main line has flow in it, the side lines may back up,” Rose said.
In the case of the odor near Seventh Street, a resident had placed a cardboard box over the inlet to prevent the smell from spreading. Rose said the practice is OK as long as it is not raining.
Officials said public works crews would try to address the problem near downtown. They go out and either flush it or put in odor blocks to mask the smell.
“When it’s warmer it makes the bacteria grow faster, rot faster,” he said.
Residents with such complaints are advised to call the public works department at (831) 636-4377.
